Epping Secondary College
Epping Secondary College connected roof guttering to a down pipe to allow it to flow into a newly planted – increasing its water efficiency at the same time as providing a lesson in practical sustainablity. Additional funding assisted with the purchase of indigenous plants.
How to establish an indigenous garden at your school
Ensure the success of your school’s planting project! There are a number of steps to follow before starting to dig holes and remove newly purchased plants from their pots.
This garden at Brunswick Community College was prepared by students who redesigned the area to include a paved and sheltered section. They did the paving preparation and paving themselves, and prepared the garden beds and later mulched, planted and laid the timber boarders. The mulch and plants were purchased through funds obtained with a Landcare Grant application prepared by their teacher with assistance from MCMC. A visit from Victorian Indigenous Nurseries Cooperative (VINC) advised them about suitable plants.
How long does it take to establish a garden? (How long is a piece of string?)
One of the best ways to get started is to visit some other schools and see how they got started and how things are looking.
If it’s the right time of year and you’ve got a very good plan, permissions, an appropriate plant list, equipment, enough money and available people to help – you can achieve your goal in about 6 weeks. However, it may take two years before a garden is properly established.
Suppliers of Indigenous Plants in Melbourne’s Northern suburbs
Victorian Indigenous Nurseries Co-op Ltd. (VINC)
Yarra Bend Road Fairfield, 3078.
Ph (03)9482 1710.
http://www.vinc.net.au/
Keelbundoora Indigenous Nursery
Wildlife Reserves, LaTrobe University, 3068.
Ph (03)9479 2871.
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/wildlife/nursery/flora
Metropolitan Tree Growers
For small orders of mature trees.
John Fitzgibbon (M) 0411 710 946.
Email: metrotrees@decl.com.au
Indigenous Flora and Fauna Association
http://www.iffa.org.au/indig_nurseries
WEB SITE LINKS GRANTS
Apply for funds to develop your indigenous garden planting projects.
Landcare Grants
http://www.landcareonline.com/funding_opportunity_details.asp?fo_id=6
